Heat sink apparatus and method of attaching the heat sink apparatus to a device

ABSTRACT

A heat sink apparatus for drawing heat from one or more devices and a method of attaching such a heat sink to one or more devices is provided. The heat sink includes a mounting surface, which draws heat into the heat sink where it is dissipated by fins. The heat sink can be mounted next to the device to be cooled with minimum insertion force since the weight of the heat sink is borne by the printed circuit board upon which the electronic device is installed. a rotatable cam is turned by the user, which engages a pivot arm. The pivot arm rotates a number of spring clips against the device thereby holding it in place. Once in a fully closed position, the cam locks into place to prevent the pivot arm and spring clips from rotating back to an open position. The spring clips affix the heat sink and maintains contact between the mounting surface and the device being cooled. The individually articulated spring clips allow the heat sink to be mounted over multiple devices of various dimensions and locations along the heat sink.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to heat sinks and a method of attaching a heat sink to a device in order to allow the heat sink to draw heat away from the device. In particular, the invention relates to a heat sink which can be mounted and dismounted with minimum insertion force and which has a resilient holding member for securing the heat sink to the device, and to a method of mounting the heat sink.

[0002] It is commonly known in the art to connect a heat sink to various mechanical or electrical machines or devices in order to draw heat away from the machine or device. Many electronic devices fail if the temperature of the device rises above a particular temperature. Specifically, integrated circuits, capacitors, power amplifiers and other electronic components generate heat as electric current passes through the component. That heat must be dissipated in order to allow the device to operate normally.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In the case of electrical devices such as integrated circuits that are soldered to a printed circuit board, commonly known methods of connecting a heat sink to the device often causes stress on the package or on the leads connecting the package to the printed circuit board.

[0004] Commonly known heat sink devices in the art require a high insertion force, a mounting surface external to the device being cooled or must be mounted prior to soldering the package to the circuit board. Exemplary devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,872,089, 4,899,255, 4,972,294, 5,864,464, 5,875,097, and 5,886,870.

[0005] Accordingly, the invention provides a heat sink apparatus for drawing heat away from a device, and means for connecting the heat sink apparatus to a device with minimal insertion force. In particular, the means for connecting the heat sink apparatus to the device includes a mounting surface and a resilient holding member pivotally connected to the mounting surface for adjustable movement between a clamped position and a released position. In a preferred embodiment, the heat sink further includes a cam with a cam engagement surface, a removable user-operated cam actuator connected to the cam and a holding member which includes a pivot arm and spring clips. Rotational movement of the cam actuator is translated into horizontal movement of the holding member between the clamped and released positions to secure and release, respectively, the heat sink from the device.

[0006] The user of individual spring clips allows the heat sink to be mounted to multiple devices of different styles, shapes and at different locations along the mounting surface. Individual spring clips which do not engage a device pivotally rotate towards the mounting surface, but do not become compressed and do not contribute to the clamping of the heat sink.

[0007] The invention also provides a method of securing a heat sink apparatus to a device, the heat sink apparatus having a resilient holding member and a mounting surface, the method including placing the heat sink on the device so that the device is positioned between the mounting surface and the resilient holding member and rotating the cam actuator, thereby moving the resilient holding member between the released position and the clamped position to secure the heat sink to the device. In a preferred embodiment the heat sink includes cooling fins to provide a greater surface area to dissipate heat into the surrounding air.

[0008] In an alternative embodiment the cooling capability of the cooling fins on the heat sink could be supplemented with a power-actuated fan. Such power-actuated fans are well known in the art. In an additional alternative embodiment, a temperature monitor could be installed on the heat sink to monitor and report the operating temperature of the heat sink, thereby indicating the relative internal operating temperature of the device. Inclusion of such a monitor would ensure that the device was operating within safe operational temperature parameters and would allow for user intervention prior to device failure. Such temperature monitors are well known in the art.

[0009] It is a principal advantage of the invention to provide a heat sink that can be secured to a device either before or after soldering the device to a printed circuit board without stressing the device or device leads during installation.

[0010] It is another advantage of the invention to provide a heat sink that can be removed from a device after mounting the heat sink to the device on a printed circuit board without stressing the device or device leads during heat sink removal.

[0011] It is another advantage of the invention to provide a heat sink capable of simultaneously clamping a plurality of devices of varying styles to the heat sink.

[0012] It is another advantage of the invention to provide a heat sink that does not require front access to the device to mount the heat sink to the device.

[0013] It is yet another advantage of the invention to provide a heat sink that can be secured to the device without any additional hardware or external mounting surfaces.

[0014] Various other features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of the heat sink apparatus embodying the invention, and showing a tool for operating the heat sink apparatus.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the heat sink apparatus shown in FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the heat sink apparatus positioned over a device.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing the heat sink apparatus positioned over the device and being clamped to the device.

[0019] Before one embodiment of the invention is explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated I the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0020] As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4 the heat sink apparatus 10 embodying the invention includes a body 14 and means for securing the heat sink apparatus 10 to a device to conduct heat away from the device. The means for securing includes a cam 18 and a holding member 22. The body 14 has a length which may be reduced or enlarged according to the application to accommodate any number of devices 26.

[0021] The body 14 is preferably manufactured from a dense, thermally conductive material. The body 14 includes a mounting surface 30. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the mounting surface 30 contacts the device 26 once the heat sink apparatus 10 is mounted adjacent to the device 26. In one embodiment, a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material is applied to the mounting surface before the heat sink is secured to the device. Typically, the thermally conductive, electrically insulating material is applied as an adhesively bonded sheet or label. Such materials are commonly commercially available. In other embodiments (not shown), the mounting surface is actually made from a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material.

[0022] The body 14 also includes a base 32. The base 32 provides a surface for supporting the heat sink apparatus 10 on a printed circuit board (not shown). As seen in FIG. 1, the base 32 of the body 14 is machined to provide a small surface area. In the embodiment depicted, the entire body 14 is machined, extruded or cast from single piece of aluminum.

[0023] The body 14 also includes a heat sink 34. The heat sink 34 is partially depicted in FIGS. 2 through 4 and more completely depicted in FIG. 1. As best seen in FIG. 4, the heat sink 34 includes a number of cooling fins 42 which extend from the body 14.

[0024] The body 14 also includes a cam channel 24. The cam channel 24 is a recess formed between the body 14 and the heat sink 34. The cam channel 24 extends along the entire length of the body 14, and is shaped to accommodate a cylindrical cam 18 pivotally mounted in the cam channel 24 for axial rotation.

[0025] As seen in FIG. 1, the cam 18 is a cylindrical member machined, extruded or cast to a length slightly longer than the body 14 of the heat sink apparatus 10. As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the cam 18 includes a V-shaped engagement surface 54 which runs the entire length of the cam 18.

[0026] The cam 18 also includes a grooved, recessed portion 58 which runs across the entire length of the cam 18. The portion 58 prevents reverse rotation of the cam 18 in the cam channel 24.

[0027] A portion of the cam 18 extends beyond the body 14 to provide an interface with a cam actuator 50. In the embodiment shown, the cam actuator 50 is a wrench having a socket designed to accept the cross-sectional shape of the cam 18. In the embodiment depicted, the cam 18 is machined, extruded or cast from a single piece if aluminum.

[0028] The heat sink apparatus 10 also includes a holding member retainer 20 connected to the body 14 and a holding member 22 mounted in the holding member retainer 20. Preferably, the holding member retainer 20 and holding member 22 extend along the length of the body 14.

[0029] The holding member 22 is a resilient member that mechanically biases the device 26 against the mounting surface 30. The holding member 22 is manufactured from a single, flat piece of metal pressed and formed into a curved shape to define a pivot arm 46 and a spring clip or clips 62 connected to the pivot arm 46 at a curved portion 74. In the embodiment shown, the holding member 22 is manufactured from stainless spring steel. The holding member 22 is pivotally movable in the cam channel 24 between a released position as shown in FIG. 3 and a clamped position as shown in FIG. 4.

[0030] Curved portion 74 engages pivot portion 94 of the inside of the cam channel 24 formed by the holding member retainer 20. As best depicted in FIG. 2, the pivot arm 46 includes an end 76 that extends into the vortex of the V-shaped engagement surface 54 of the cam 18.

[0031] As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the spring clips 62 extend beyond the cam channel 24 in spaced relation to the mounting surface 30. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the ends of the spring clips 62 are slightly curved away from the mounting surface 30 to provide an engagement surface 78 with the device 26.

[0032] As shown in the drawings, the holding member includes a holding member stop 82 on each end of the pivot arm 46 of the holding member 22 to secure the holding member 22 in the cam channel 24. The holding member stop 82 is a flat piece of the pivot arm 46 formed perpendicular to the pivot arm 46. The holding member stop 82 provides a surface to engage the body 14 thereby securing the holding member 22 in the cam channel 24.

[0033] As seen in FIGS. 1 through 4, the heat sink apparatus 10 includes a second cam channel 86 and second mounting surface 90 to accommodate a second cam (not shown) and second holding member (not shown). The second cam (not shown) pivotally engages a second holding member (not shown) which engages a second device (not shown) in substantially the same method and manner as cam 18 and holding member 22.

[0034] In general, the method of mounting the heat sink to a device includes positioning the heat sink adjacent to the device, and biasing the holding member toward the mounting surface so as to clamp the device between the mounting surface of the heat sink and the holding member. The ability to secure the heat sink to a device by clamping the device between the mounting surface of the heat sink and the holding member reduces the risk that the thermally conductive, electrically insulating material will be damaged during installation of the heat sink.

[0035] More specifically, the heat sink apparatus 10 is supported on the printed circuit board (not shown) so that the device 26 is positioned between mounting surface 30 and holding member 22. The heat sink apparatus 10 is then secured to the device 26 by rotating the cam 18 with the cam actuator 50. As seen in FIG. 1, the cam actuator 50 has an opening or socket therein that is shaped to fit the cam 18. Turning again to FIGS. 3 and 4, rotation of the cam 18 causes the cam engagement surface 54 to engage the pivot arm 46 which rotates the pivot arm 46 inside the cam channel 24 thereby causing the holding member 22 to pivot into the clamped position (as seen in FIG. 4). Engagement of ridge member 58 with end 76 of pivot arm 46 prevents release of said holding member 22 and reverse-rotation of the cam 18. The pivot arm 46 translates the rotational movement of the cam 18 into the clamping action of the holding member 22. The flexible spring clips 62 bias the device 26 against the mounting surface 30 so that heat generated by the device 26 is transferred to the body 14 to dissipated into the ambient environment by heat sink 34. With further rotation of the cam, the end 76 returns to the V-shaped surface 54 thereby returning the holding member 22 to the released position as shown in FIG. 2. The heat sink apparatus 10 can then be easily removed without stressing the device 26 or the device leads 98.

[0036] Mounting the heat sink apparatus 10 in the manner described above ensures maximum contact and thermal transfer between the mounting surface 30 and the device 26 thereby allowing heat generated by the device 26 to be conducted through the mounting surface 30 and body 14 into the heat sink 34 and away from the device 26. In the embodiment depicted, the mounting surface 30 and heat sink 34 provide a dense material to conduct thermal energy away from the device 26 while the cooling fins 42 provide a greater surface area for the heat sink 34 to dissipate the heat into the surrounding air.

[0037] In other embodiments (not shown), the heat sink may include means for sensing the temperature of the heat sink or of the device. Such means may include any type of known temperature sensor, and this sensor may be connected to a control circuit for operating a cooling fan. Triggering of the control circuit by the temperature sensor causes operation of the fan to blow cooling air over the heat sink to further facilitate cooling of the device.

[0038] Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A heat sink apparatus for dissipating heat generated by a device, said apparatus comprising: a body including a mounting surface; and a holding member connected to said mounting surface for movement of said holding member between a clamped position and a released position.
 2. The heat sink of claim 1 wherein said mounting surface includes a plurality of cooling fins extending from said mounting surface to further radiate heat from said device.
 3. The heat sink of claim 1 wherein said holding member may be fixedly attached to a plurality of devices of varied size and location.
 4. The heat sink of claim 1 wherein said heat sink is comprised of metal.
 5. The heat sink of claim 1 wherein said heat sink is comprised of a material having a thermal conductivity sufficient to allow the conduction of heat away from said device.
 6. The heat sink of claim 1 where in said heat sink further comprises a power actuated fan.
 7. The heat sink of claim 1 and further comprising a cam pivotally mounted in said body and connected to said holding member so that rotation of said cam moves said holding member between said clamped and released positions.
 8. The heat sink of claim 7 where in said cam includes a stop member to prevent release of said holding member through reverse-rotation of said cam.
 9. A heat sink apparatus for conducting heat away from a device, said heat sink comprising: a body including a mounting surface; and means for securing said mounting surface to said device so that said heat generated by said device is conducted by said mounting surface through said heat sink apparatus and away from said device.
 10. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said mounting surface includes a plurality of cooling fins extending from said mounting surface to further radiate heat from said device.
 11. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said means for securing said mounting surface to the device comprises a holding member and a user-actuated cam mechanically associated with said holding member so as to move said holding member between clamped and released positions, and wherein said holding member further includes a pivot arm and a plurality of spring clips which pivotally engage said device.
 12. The heat sink of claim 11 where said holding member is comprised of a metal with sufficient spring compression strength to maintain tension between said mounting surface and said device.
 13. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said heat sink apparatus further comprises a cam channel, a cam member pivotally mounted in said cam channel, and a holding member connected to said body so that rotation of said cam causes movement of said holding member to a clamped position to secure said device between said mounting surface and said holding member.
 14. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said heat sink further comprises a power actuated fan.
 15. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said heat sink further comprises a base having a mounting surface and wherein substantially all of the weight of said heat sink is supported by said base.
 16. The heat sink of claim 15 wherein said heat sink further comprises a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material on said mounting surface.
 17. The heat sink of claim 15 wherein said mounting surface is made from a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material.
 18. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said means for securing said mounting surface to the deice includes a holding member having an engagement surface spaced from said mounting surface and movable between a clamped position and a released position and wherein said heat sink apparatus further comprises a cam pivotally mounted in said body so that rotation of said cam causes movement of said holding member between said clamped and released positions.
 19. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said body includes a second mounting surface, and means for securing said second mounting surface to a second device so that said heat generated by said second device is conducted by said second mounting surface through said heat sink apparatus and away from said second device.
 21. The heat sink of claim 9 wherein said heat sink further includes a means for monitoring and reporting the temperature of said device.
 22. A method of mounting a heat sink to a device, said heat sink including a mounting surface and a holding member connected to said mounting surface for movement between a clamped position and a released position, said method comprising the acts of: positioning said heat sink adjacent to said device; and biasing said holding member toward said mounting surface so as to clamp said device between said mounting surface of said heat sink and said holding member.
 23. The method of claim 22 further comprising the additional acts of: biasing said holding member away from said mounting surface to release said device from between said mounting surface of said heat sink and said holding member; and removing said heat sink from said device.
 24. A heat sink apparatus for dissipating heat generated by a device, said apparatus comprising: a body including a mounting surface; a holding member connected to said mounting surface for movement of said holding member between a clamped position and a released position; and a cam pivotally mounted in said body and connected to said holding member so that rotation of said cam moves said holding member between said clamped and released positions.
 25. The heat sink of claim 24 wherein said mounting surface includes a plurality of cooling fins extending from said mounting surface to further radiate heat from said device.
 26. The heat sink of claim 24 wherein said holding member may be fixedly attached to a plurality of devices of varied size and location.
 27. The heat sink of claim 24 wherein said heat sink is comprised of metal.
 28. The heat sink of claim 24 wherein said heat sink is comprised of a material with a thermal conductivity greater than said device.
 29. The heat sink of claim 25 where in said heat sink further comprises a power actuated fan.
 30. The heat sink of claim 24 wherein said cam includes a stop member to prevent release of said holding member through reverse-rotation of said cam. 